Raptor's Zip Up | 2.0 Standard RAM

Born in 2009, 4132 was assigned to the 411th Flight Test Squadron, where she remains to this day. As a unique distinction, she is the only Raptor known to wear a pair of painted "eyes" as nose art.

By the early 2020s, it had become clear to the U.S. Air Force that Raptor would be needed well into the 2030s, despite earlier plans to retire her around that time. As a result, a major modernization program was approved in 2023 to preserve her edge against near-peer adversaries.

Planned upgrades include stealth-compatible external fuel tanks, an Infrared Defensive System (IRDS), integration of a Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD), compatibility with the next-generation AIM-260 air-to-air missile, and perhaps most significantly the ability to control AI-enabled Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

In early 2026, 4132 was spotted carrying hardware associated with these upgrades. Since then, representatives from Lockheed Martin have reportedly referred to her as "Raptor 2.0". A glimpse of what the future may hold for a fighter many once believed was nearing the end of her story.

(Vertical stabilizers not included)